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| Hiking | 10.10 Miles |
2,939 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.10 Miles | 5 Hrs 28 Mns | | 1.95 mph |
| 2,939 ft AEG | 17 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | After tagging Bassett yesterday, we opted to head for Sunset today. This side trip along the divide must not be on an internet list because it doesn't seem to get much visitation despite being just a short spur off the trail, a fun scramble, and stunning sky island views. Bonus: fall colors along High Creek make the lower half a delight.
I parked too early, forgetting that I could easily drive more than a half mile farther along the road, so we got a few extra steps to add to the weekend totals. There's more poison ivy here than in Ash, but it's easily avoided, and in brilliant fall splendor, I don't think it's quite as potent as when glossy green in summer.
The half mile or so below the switchbacks is steeper than it needs to be and just as I remembered. The nice trail conditions ended at the junction with the 287, which has not seen clippers in many years. We pushed through the brush and managed to keep an eye on the tread hidden below our feet.
The peak is not even the high point on the hike, which features a delightful 400 foot drop between reaching the divide and climbing to the summit. Extra AEG just for fun, donchaknow? 
There's a double-summit, but the eastern point is the highest and you have to traverse the western side to get there. It's a scramble to get to the top, but there's a protected gully that makes the ascent easy.
Yesterday's perfect conditions were not repeated today, with a strong and very chilly wind. I tried to warm up in a wind-sheltered spot in the sun, but it wasn't happening, so we didn't stay too long before making the return trip and warming up along the climb on the overgrown divide trail.
We were well ahead of yesterday's pace so the return trip brought us through the maple zone with brilliant backlighting from the autumn sun. We took the short side trip toward High Creek Spring but didn't go all the way up. There must be good water though because a pipe installed by local ranchers was leaking nicely!
With a quick 3 hour drive, we were home in time for dinner. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
Only a few patches of good red maples, but the yellows were pure fire. |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
